Bob Ontiveros' Birthday Celebration

Bob's Birthday Celebration

August 18th, 2023 at 5PM!

LATIN MUSIC - FOOD - VENDORS

We will be honoring the late Bob Ontiveros, co-founder of Mercado on Fifth, by celebrating his Birthday on this night!

Bob's Birthday Celebration is sponsored by Group O and will be passing out FREE Birthday cake! (while supplies last)
We will feature live entertainment by DJ Guerrero and live music by Banda La Enkantadora!

¡Juntos Somos Mercado!

Mercado on Fifth is an outdoor event from 5-10 p.m. every Friday on 5th Ave. between 11th and 12th streets in Moline. The weekly gathering features food trucks, produce/retail vendors, live entertainment and activities for children. Mercado’s 2023 summer season will run every Friday night from May 26 – Sept. 29. Mercado aims to attract more people to the Floreciente neighborhood and increase community involvement and pride by offering economic opportunities to small and minority-owned businesses. Patrons can enjoy cultural entertainment from area musicians, dance groups and artists. The market also provides learning opportunities for children and information about local nonprofits for adults.
Join us at Mercado, and be part of our mission to strengthen the community!
$5 admission for ages 13+
Free for Seniors 65+

Vendors of the Week 08/18/2023

Name of owner(s): Alicia y Pedro Ruiz

When was business created: May 2022

When did you start with Mercado: 2022

Favorite item to sell or most popular item to sell:

Handmade Lucha Libre Masks

Name of owner(s): Patricia Solis 

When was business created: 2021

When did you start with Mercado: 2022

Why was the business created:

I started as a partnership with Rosario’s QC and we mutually decided to expand our businesses and have our separate booths at Mercado. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and stress and to get my mind off of it, I started my own business. It kept me busy and made me happy again. It made me feel important and useful. Plus I now have extra income for my family. 

Favorite item to sell or most popular item to sell:

Gold plated necklaces and the light up toys

Vendors of the Week 07/28/2023

Name of owner(s): Mariela Treviño

When was business created: June 2021

When did you start with Mercado: The summer of 2022 was my first season at Mercado. I am currently in my 2nd year.

Why was the business created:

Because I love rosaries and collect rosaries and I wanted to share with the world how beautiful rosaries are or can be. I also love finance and spreadsheets and can be a little "numbers obsessive" sometimes so the fun part for me was getting home after an event and counting my money and counting my inventory and tracking it on an Excel spreadsheet and doing trend, cost and projection analyses. Honestly, I also did it for me. I am the most happy when I am around people and contributing to something. That's probably why I volunteer so much! Small businesses pay taxes that go back into our community and the community also helps support local by shopping with us. That's why I always turn it around and also become the consumer and buy my tacos at Mercado each friday! 

Favorite item to sell or most popular item to sell:

There's a white bead rosary with red flower petal 'our father' beads with the Virgen of Guadalupe centerpiece that has sold out 3 times on me already. I also have a gold colored rosary with the Virgen of Guadalupe centerpiece that is very popular. 

Name of owner(s): Anthony & Laura Mata-Bolandi

When was business created: April 2023

When did you start with Mercado: 2023

Why was the business created:

It first started as a hobby and I was giving them to friends and family but everybody started encouraging me to sell the products because they are very unique and beautiful. It was also my son’s idea to sell at the Mercado to encourage Latino owned small business. 

Favorite item to sell or most popular item to sell:

Our avocado keychains and earrings are our best sellers! 

Name of owner(s): Jasmine Rizo

When was business created: March 2020

When did you start with Mercado: 2023

Why was the business created:

I’ve always loved baking & cooking! I’ve been making pastries, desserts & cakes since I was about 8 years old. I am an Nurse but my heart was always in foods I graduated with my bachelors culinary arts school 2022. And while in school descuides to do a bakery business to build clientele and soon be able to have a brick and mortar cafe bakery shop. 

Favorite item to sell or most popular item to sell:

chocoflan , churro cheesecake & Pastel de tres Leches